What Happens During Premenstrual Syndrome?
Premenstrual syndrome, abbreviated as PMS, is a condition that affects women a couple of weeks before a menstrual period. PMS occurs during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle ranging from 10 to 17 days before the period starts. Throughout the luteal phase, the body undergoes changes caused by hormone fluctuations, like the thickening of the uterine lining. These hormonal changes can affect a person’s mood, causing irritability and mood swings. The person may also experience other symptoms like fatigue, bloating, and breast tenderness. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a medical ailment that causes PMS symptoms in addition to severe depression and anxiety.
The hormones that may cause PMS symptoms
Scientists have not found a direct cause of PMS, but many believe that estrogen and progesterone hormones contribute to PMS symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone levels increase during the luteal phase because the ovaries have released the egg, and the body is preparing for fertilization. Testosterone is another hormone that plays a major part in the menstrual cycle by regulating bleeding, period length, and even the frequency of menstrual cycles.
Supplements that help alleviate PMS symptoms
Patients looking for supplements to relieve PMS symptoms should consider taking omega-3 and omega-6, magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B6, dandelion root, chasteberry, and St. John's wort. These supplements have been proven to help with PMS symptoms like bloating, fatigue, cramps, headaches, and mood swings. Research has shown that women who take these supplements on a regular basis experience fewer PMS symptoms.
The connection between hormones and menopause symptoms
Menopause occurs when the ovaries no longer release eggs and women stop having menstrual cycles. The progesterone and estrogen levels permanently decline, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, weight gain, facial hair growth, incontinence, and mood swings. Doctors try to alleviate the effects of menopause through hormone replacement therapy that uses synthetic hormones to increase progesterone and estrogen levels.
Can dietary supplements relieve menopause symptoms?
Dietary supplements like St. John's wort, ginseng, vitamin D, calcium, and flaxseed oil may help alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes and bloating. Supplements like calcium and vitamin D increase bone density, which is a major issue for menopausal women. Foods like soybeans and chickpeas contain phytoestrogen, which is a natural form of estrogen found in plants. Researchers believe eating these foods or taking these supplements can improve hot flashes.
Talk to a professional
Before starting a dietary supplement regimen, patients should notify a healthcare provider. Hormone fluctuations that occur during PMS and menopause should be evaluated by a medical professional. Patients dealing with any of these conditions should speak to a physician. A physician will be able to examine the patient and perform necessary diagnostic tests to identify hormonal issues. Patients can also discuss PMS and menopause symptoms with a pharmacist.
